From University of Chicago Athletics

The University of Chicago women's basketball team came back from a double-digit deficit to top Whitman College in a 56-54 thriller in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship on Saturday night.

The No. 10-ranked Maroons (23-4 record) advance to the NCAA Round of 16 for the first time since 2012. The Blues concluded their season at 22-6.

UChicago had to dig itself out of a big hole in the first half. Whitman's height advantage and help defense in the post stymied the Maroons constantly on drives to the basket. The home team couldn't find an offensive rhythm and trailed 17-4 after one quarter of play.

The Maroons made incremental progress in the second quarter and tallied the final five points of the half to cut the deficit to 26-18 at halftime. The third quarter saw Whitman increase its lead once again (41-27) before UChicago closed to within 43-34 heading into the final period.

An and-one layup by Grace Hynes early in the fourth got the crowd and team energized as the lead was chopped to six. A three-pointer from Ellie Gross and a layup by Marissa Powe on consecutive possessions drew it even closer at 51-46. With 2:14 left, Sophia North finally drew the home side level at 52-52 with a pair of free throws.

With 20 seconds left, UChicago clung to a two-point lead after Powe's free throw make. The Blues took two final jumpers in the closing moments, but came up short on both attempts. The Ratner Athletics Center erupted once the final buzzer sounded as the Maroons clinched the comeback victory.

Powe posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Hynes snagged a game-high 16 rebounds to go with 14 points. Gross put up 13 points of her own.

While UChicago struggled to convert from the field (27.8 percent), the team did have success getting to the line, shooting 34 free throws compared to nine by Whitman.

View the UChicago post-game press conference below: